Pediatric Urology

New Patients

888-716-WAKE

Returning Patients

336-716-4131

Patient Gabrielle Aldea

Surgery Repairs Urological Condition

When Gabrielle Aldea was
born with a bladder the size of a thimble, her mom, Chrischa, knew this
was the beginning of a long road for her daughter. Gabrielle began to
have chronic and reoccurring kidney and urinary tract infections and
Gabrielle had to be catheterized every two hours.

“For the first 7
years of her life, few doctors could help us,” Chrischa said. “We were
in and out of the hospital several times each year with kidney and
urinary tract infections.”

But when Gabrielle’s grandmother saw
an article about Dr. Anthony Atala’s work growing bladders for children,
she told Chrischa, “We have to go to Winston-Salem and see if he can
help.”

Gabrielle wasn’t a candidate for laboratory-grown bladder, but Pediatric Urologist Dr. Gordon McLorie felt he could help her surgically. Dr. McLorie carefully crafted a bladder for Gabrielle out of her large intestines.

“My
daughter is now eight and no longer suffering either physically or
socially because of her condition,” Chrischa said. “He was the first
doctor we talked with, that considered her physical and emotional growth
in his plan to help her get better. We had an amazing experience at
Brenner Children’s Hospital. Dr. McLorie and his team could not have
been better.”

While Gabrielle’s condition is rare, Dr. McLorie
says he sees patients with chronic kidney and urinary tract infection
frequently. “We have to determine if the infections are something the
child’s urinary tract system will correct as the child grows or if there
is an underlying problem that needs to be surgically corrected, as was
Gabrielle’s case.”

Only about 40 percent of patients need surgery
to correct a problem with their urinary tract, McLorie said. Brenner
Children’s Hospital has three pediatric urologists, McLorie and Drs. Anthony Atala and Steve Hodges,
who treat both simple and complex pediatric urological conditions,
ranging from bedwetting and frequent infections to surgically repairing
bladders and kidneys.

“Most of the time, as a child’s urinary
system develops, they will outgrow a number of problems, however, some
children do require surgery and we have a team of three
pediatric-trained, urologic surgeons, and pediatric nurses and staff
ready to help those patients get well and continue to mature,” said Dr.
Hodges.

For Chrischa Ives, seeing her daughter grow, thrive and
enjoy life has made her grateful for places like Brenner Children’s
Hospital.

“My daughter can now attend slumber parties, have
friends over and lead a normal life,” she said. “I’m just thrilled with
that.”

For more information about pediatric urologic services at Brenner Children’s Hospital, call the Department of Urology at 336-716-4131. New patients may call 336-716-WAKEor 888-716-WAKE.

The information on this Website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem or a health-related question, consult your physician or call Health On-Call at 336-716-2255 or 1-800-446-2255.